This is a very interesting thread. Thank you Barbara, for making this suggestion.
I think justamom said it best when she suggested we should err on the side of caution. I also think we should err on the side of kindness, support and Panhellenic values when discussing recruitment with women or men who are interested in becoming members of any GLO.
I have to admit that I somewhat enjoyed the "plugs" members gave their organizations within pnms rush threads; if only because I'm terrible at this vb code nonsense and I admire their ability to use different colors, fonts and sizes at the same time!
However, the absence of these plugs will be no real loss in my reading a rush thread. It was only my nostalgia for my college days that made me smile at the obvious enthusiasm of members giving a "shameless plug" for their organization. I have done one or two myself, I admit.
I think we should remember a few things in this discussion.
One, that Greek Chat provides ample opportunity to express pride in and enthusiasm for, our respective fraternal organizations. There are boards provided for each of our organizations as well as General Boards covering a wide variety of topics. In fact, the Greek Life board often has an open topic asking GC members to discuss what they like or love about their sister or brotherhoods. I for one, enjoy reading about the great experiences of sisterhood/brotherhood from all the other GLO members.
None of us have the ability to truly understand the psyche or experience of any pnm going through recruitment and posting on GC. She may be posting just as a way to blow off steam, or she may be truly struggling with the process and looking for guidance. Its really not for us to say, both scenarios are just presumptions. However, back to justamom's sage advice, err on the side of caution and kindness. If my "shameless plug" made even one pnm uncomfortable in any way, then I am resolved to never do it again, ever. I don't see why I would.
In fact along the same lines, I support anonymity in threads on both sides. I am fine with pnms using just numbers to indicate the houses on their campus. (Of course, in all honesty, I wish they would use colors, or state capitals, or anything else because their is nothing I am worse at than keeping numbers straight in my head
.) I find the anonymous threads help to drive home the importance of basic recruitment skills as well as the overall principals that are essential to NPC recruitment. These "anonymous" threads provide an opportunity for all GLO members to identify with the process of recruitment and of a pnm finding a home. Anonymous threads put the principals ahead of the players. I've noticed as well that these threads can often be a bit more "honest," the pnm feels free to say, for example, "House Number One" talked all about their parties with Mu Mu fraternity, it made me uncomfortable." Ah, yes, I can recognize that dilemma and possibly post some advice about that situation.
Having said all of that, that is simply my preference and at the end of the day I believe the pnm posting on Greek Chat has the right to post in any manner she wants. I do not feel that she is here to entertain me. Rather, I think the women who provides us with glimpses of her recruitment is already very generous, I would be loath to demand that she post in the way that I like best. Who am I to demand anything?
But let me get back to what was, I think, Barbara's original point. These Rush threads are wonderful opportunities to support women who have an interest in joining a sorority. It gives those of us who already know the enriching experience of having sisters, a forum for supporting other women on the same path. I have at times, really been taken by certain pnms on this board, and what a wonderful opportunity this board provides to give those lovely pnms support, albeit of the "cyber" variety.
Finally, I think the most significant way to "plug" any of our organizations is with what we say and how we act/react to issues. Take a look at Erica812's journey to begin a chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. She has gotten several emails from GC readers expressing interest in starting their own chapters. I would suggest that this is due to Erica's endless enthusiasm, humor and passion for sisterhood. Those qualities have attracted other women to Beta Sigma Phi. This is a wonderful example of actions and attitudes being the best "plugs" of all.
Greek love,
violets